School to become the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth

Confetti flies as a background is unveiled while Robert and Jane Cizik react along with UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo (standing) during ceremonies to rename the nursing school to the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Confetti flies as a background is unveiled while Robert and Jane Cizik react along with UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo (standing) during ceremonies to rename the nursing school to the Jane and ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Robert and Jane Cizik wave as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Robert and Jane Cizik wave as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Robert Cizik takes a glance at the background while sitting next to Jane Cizik as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo gives remarks during ceremonies to rename the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Robert Cizik takes a glance at the background while sitting next to Jane Cizik as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo gives remarks during ceremonies to rename the nursing school the Jane and Robert ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

Image 4 of 13

Robert and Jane Cizik chat during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Robert and Jane Cizik chat during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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The outdoor ceremonies to rename the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

The outdoor ceremonies to rename the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Robert and Jane Cizik listen as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo acknowledges their gift during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Robert and Jane Cizik listen as UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo acknowledges their gift during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Nursing students (from left) Jennifer Valasquez, Emily Marso and Krista Robinson give medals to Robert and Jane Cizik during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Nursing students (from left) Jennifer Valasquez, Emily Marso and Krista Robinson give medals to Robert and Jane Cizik during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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UTHealth regent Janiece Longoria gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

UTHealth regent Janiece Longoria gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo holds up Robert Cizik's hand as Jane Cizik looks on during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

UTHealth President Giuseppe Colasurdo holds up Robert Cizik's hand as Jane Cizik looks on during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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School of nursing dean Lorraine Frazier gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

School of nursing dean Lorraine Frazier gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Robert Cizik looks on as his wife Jane Cizik gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Robert Cizik looks on as his wife Jane Cizik gives remarks during ceremonies renaming the nursing school the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX.

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Confetti flies as a background is unveiled with the newly renamed Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing as dignitaries look on from the podium during ceremonies at the UTHealth School of Nursing, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston, TX. less

Confetti flies as a background is unveiled with the newly renamed Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing as dignitaries look on from the podium during ceremonies at the UTHealth School of Nursing, Nov. 15, ... more

Photo: Michael Wyke, For The Chronicle

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Jane and Robert Cizik (Annie Mulligan / Freelance)

Jane and Robert Cizik (Annie Mulligan / Freelance)

Photo: Annie Mulligan, Annie Mulligan / For The Houston Chronicle

UTHealth School of Nursing gets $25 million donation

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A retired Houston oilfield services executive and his wife are giving $25 million to the School of Nursing at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the largest donation in the school's 45-year history.

Dr. Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, president of the center, and Nursing School Dean Lorraine Frazier announced the gift from Robert and Jane Cizik Wednesday. In recognition of the donation, the school will be renamed the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth.

"This gift will allow us to shape the future of nursing education and will powerfully enrich our long-term ability to prepare the nurses and nursing leaders who will care for our families, friends and neighbors," Frazier said in a statement.

Jane Cizik said a deep appreciation for the nursing profession, the need to address the state and national shortage of nurses and UTHealth's stellar nursing programs motivated the family's gift.

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Prognosis

Frazier noted that Texas will have a shortage of 30,000 registered nurses by 2030 if it doesn't increase its graduate numbers. She said millennials are stepping up to take on "the increasingly complex jobs of retiring nurses," but many need significant scholarship assistance.

Robert Cizik was president of Cooper Industries, a manufacturer of engines, turbines and compressors for the oil and natural gas industry, from 1973 until his retirement in 1996. He chaired a successful $10 million philanthropic campaign to build a new $57-million home for UTHealth's nursing school.

The Ciziks previously made a gift to the Hermann Eye Fund to name the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, where UTHealth ophthalmologists practice.